The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered and dismantled two major drug cartels responsible for six separate cocaine shipments intended for the United Kingdom.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement released on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, spokesperson for the NDLEA, revealed that the three-week-long operation exposed sophisticated smuggling methods, including concealing cocaine inside stainless steel cup linings, as well as in body cream and hair gel containers.
According to Babafemi, operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on September 16, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.4 kilograms hidden in cocoa butter body cream containers.
The seizure led to the arrest of a cargo agent, whose confession directed investigators to 56-year-old Hammed Taofeek Ode, identified as the mastermind of the syndicate.
Following extensive intelligence work, the NDLEA, in collaboration with the police, apprehended Ode, who was discovered to have lived across several European countries for more than 27 years before returning to Nigeria in 2024.
During his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted ownership of the consignment which he claimed he bought at over N150 million. He described himself as a businessman and real estate developer.
In a separate operation, the agency foiled five more cocaine export attempts by another syndicate between September 26 and October 2.
On September 26, NDLEA officers seized 2.1 kilograms of cocaine hidden in hair cream containers at MMIA, leading to the arrest of Smith David Korede, a furniture maker from Mafoluku, Oshodi. Another 1.4 kilograms of cocaine was later recovered at his residence.
Two additional suspects — Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa — were arrested after two more UK-bound consignments were intercepted on October 2.
Babafemi further disclosed that enforcement operations in several states including Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Edo, and Kogi resulted in multiple arrests and seizures of tramadol and cannabis.
NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, praised the officers involved for their tenacity, professionalism, and balanced approach in combating the drug trade. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug networks at every level.
Marwa said, “We’ll continue to target and dismantle every identified drug cartel at every level of their operations — from the mules to the dealers and up to their leadership.”
“Every arrest, seizure, and asset forfeited by these criminal syndicates signifies innocent lives saved and communities protected.”
